WhatsApp Two-Step Verification: Here’s How to Set It Up

When you opened WhatsApp like you normally do, you surely noticed some changes. For example, the contacts tab was gone, and the ones that are there now are Chats, Status, and Calls. It still looks the same but with a few changes.

You will also see a camera icon before the Chats tab, and if you go to Settings, you also see something new. It’s the much talked about Two-Step verification. With this security method, WhatsApp aims to protect their users even more.

How to Enable WhatsApp Two-Step Verification

Setting up the two-step verification is easy. Go to Settings > Accounts > Two-step verification. Don’t worry; you won’t have to use the two-step verification every time you want to use the app. When you tap on the option, it clearly says that you will only need to enter a passcode when registering your phone number with WhatsApp again.

Tap on the Enable button and the app will ask you to enter a six-digit code for when you register your phone with WhatsApp. You will be asked to enter this code twice and an Email address as a backup. The Email addy is just in case you forget the code, and that way a replacement can be sent.

Tap on the Done button, and at the bottom, you will also see the disable option, Change password and modify the Email address.

How to Change your WhatsApp Status

A lot of WhatsApp users are not very happy that the status only lasts 24 hours. I agree. It would have been better is the status was permanent and would only change when you modified it. Hopefully, WhatsApp will change that in the future, but for now, you’re stuck with the current one.

To give it a try, tap on the Status tab and right below tap on the My status. You will automatically see the pictures and videos you have in your device’s gallery. Just swipe until you see the picture or video you want to add and tap on the green button.

If you want to add various photos or videos to your status tap on the incomplete circle with the plus sign. The new image or video you add will be automatically added to your status to be played as one. I tried adding three pictures, and it worked just fine.

What Needs to Be Fixed

I would also make finding a particular picture easier and not have to swipe who knows how long to locate the one you’re looking for. Apparently, there is also no way to undo an image you posted.

Accidents happen, and maybe you meant to tap on the image beside the one that got published. It would also be great if there was an option to backup a status you created as well.

Every time you to go the Status tab, you’ll see how long ago you added your latest status. If you want to take a look at all the pictures or videos you added, just tap on the three horizontal dots beside your status. By tapping on the arrow when you’ve accessed My Status, you can forward your status to any contact.

If you want to see how many people have looked at your status, simply look for the eye icon with the number beside it. The number indicates the number of views.

I think the Status feature is great but what I don’t like is that it only lasts 24 hours. If the status was permanent then I would give it two thumbs up. What do you think of WhatsApp new features?